7.5.18

This Giant Tortoise Is The World's Oldest Living Land Animal At 186 (Photos)

At
the age of 186, Jonathan the tortoise - the world's oldest living land
animal - won't be having surgery to remove cataracts, as vets on his
home island of St Helena have decided it's too risky. (He is pictured in
October 2017)

Jonathan the giant tortoise is the world's oldest living terrestrial animal, according to a report by Dailymail.

But, there is bad news for the tortoise at the age of 186 - and now
blind. The famous resident of St Helena won't be having surgery to
remove cataracts, as vets have decided it's too risky.

Jonathan, who has also lost his sense of smell, was approximately
50 years old when he arrived on the small island in the south Atlantic
from the Seychelles in 1882.

Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon said earlier this week: 'St Helena's
most famous resident, Jonathan the tortoise, is looked after by the
island vet who ensures a high-standard of care to the world's oldest
terrestrial animal.

'After much deliberation on the island, the vet decided removing Jonathan's cataracts was too high-risk a procedure.'

The Conservative peer added that Jonathan continues to lead an active life.

The reptile can still be found happily plodding around the the
grounds of Plantation House, the home of the governor of St Helena.

Following the death of Harriet, a 175-year-old giant Galapagos Land
tortoise, in 2005 in Australia, Jonathan has been recognised as the
world's oldest living land animal.

He wasn't given his name until the 1930s by governor Sir Spencer Davis.

In his time on St Helena, he has seen 28 British governors come and
go; eight British monarchs from George IV to Elizabeth II have been
crowned during his lifetime; and 51 British Prime Ministers have served
at 10 Downing Street.